New Vibrations - Angie Aparo -- For Stars and Moon Aware Sept. 9, 2003

Angie Aparo is not a girl. He is a boy. But he still sings real pretty. And sounds a helluva lot like a lot of American music greats. He is a potent cocktail of Cat Stevens, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and, strangely, Al Green -- all mixed briskly and served chilled.

From time to time, he smacks of the unfortunate sound patented by modern day mediocrity-masters, Train -- best known for such top 40 hits as "Drops of Jupiter" and the cringe-worthy "Meet Virginia," but I say he only sounds like them, in a pop sort of sensibility. He doesn't write ridiculous lyrics like them (Train: "She never compromises, loves babies and surprises/ Wears high-heels when she exercises." Gag me.).

No, This Atlanta native writes lyrics that are poetic and honest without being enamored of themselves. ("In my life will I be hurt? Just a little boy in the universe.") He doesn't name drop, and he doesn't mince words. He's just straightforward and solid in every facet of the album. As a result, Stars and Moon, his third effort, is a contender. I'm talking Ryan Seacrest weekly Top Forty, Mix One-Oh-Six heavy rotation. You heard it here first, this Angie guy could really make it big and without being an annoying rehashing of the same old pop formula. Why, six months after this album's release, it isn't receiving radio-play can only be explained by the fact that either his marketing team is useless or that people are idiots and don't know a good tune when they hear one.

Tracks like the harmonica and tambourine-laden, tinkling toy piano sound of "Hard Woman" are what make his music reminiscent of something classic and logical. Aparo's melodies make you feel you've heard his songs somewhere before.

"She's Alright by Me," a soaring song of love that crescendos with a drum roll and a crash of piano and guitar chords likely to give you goose bumps is definitely the high point of the album.

Aparo isn't all twinkly pop. He can do powerful driving beats and soulful aggression too. The third track, "Suicide," is a good example of this capability. It's nice and dark and heavy. But in a delightful way, of course.